Head of Retail Credit Risk Management- ARO

To develop tactical strategy and delivery plans, formulate associated practice/s and to ensure operational implementation and adoption of credit risk management methodology, practice, governance and delivery objectives.

This role safeguards the organization's financial health and operational resilience in a dynamic and complex market environment. Involves group independent oversight for Retail Risk, Centre enablement services (e.g. impairments, best practice standards and oversight over key Credit Risk reporting and analysis MI, Models, Capital etc.). Reporting and stakeholder management into ARO and Group Committees (ARO RBB, ARO Management forums, Group, Boards and Regulators).

• Strategy Formulation and Execution: Strategic challenge and alignment of Business Unit strategies with macroeconomic and regulatory context.
• Determination and proposal of overall Risk Appetite and strategy.
• Risk and Control: Maintenance of and adherence to relevant Policies, Procedures, Standards Frameworks and Regulatory requirements.
• Assurance of robust and thorough risk management activities.
• Development of risk capabilities across business units.
• Establishment of appropriate systems and controls for identifying, assessing, and managing key risks
• Timely escalation and mitigation of risk issues.
• Maintenance of relevant policies, standards, and frameworks.
• Reporting to country and relevant group committees on risk performance and adherence to Risk Appetite.
• Regional oversight of framework and policy adoption for all relevant risks.
• Timely response and remediation of audit and regulatory issues.
• Leadership in retail credit risk across the account life cycle related to credit origination, portfolio management, recoveries and collections and loan loss provisioning.
• Approval of policies, strategies, and procedures for risk management.
• Establishment of governance for Retail Credit Risk teams.
• Responsibility for retail credit risk strategy performance in collaboration with Country Credit Risk Officers & Heads of Credit Risk.
• Operationalization of key projects driving new capabilities and efficiencies.
• Support to the Chief Risk Officer in delivering unit’s plan.
• Identification and collaboration with external partners within approved frameworks and policies.
• Oversight of governance processes regarding engagements with 3rd parties.
• Obtaining necessary approvals for relations/dealings with 3rd parties.
• Regular review of 3rd party processes to ensure adherence to policies.
• Oversee and consolidate Retail Credit across the ARO10 banks in 9 countries across Retail and Micro SME products.
• Governance aligned with ERMF and associated policies and standards.
• Ensuring portfolio returns are above benchmark and with concentration limits and earnings volatility.
• Ensure MCA and CE are rated as Satisfactory for the ARO Retail Credit Risk function. Reviews country Retail Risk ratings as part of assurance and oversight.
• Financial Management: Management resources within the agreed budget of the function.
• A robust understanding of the application of retail models and model risk management.

• Implementation and embedding of an integrated risk management framework across all business areas and countries.
• Accountability for efficient and effective governance of significant risks and related opportunities.
• Strategic alignment and collaboration with all other risk activities within Absa.
• Provision of clear and constant feedback on progress and challenges within the business to relevant stakeholders, ensuring they are kept informed of current events and issues.
• Regular country visits to influence the adoption and embedding of a coherent risk culture.

• Develop high performing teams.
• Development of capability and talent within the risk function in each country.
• Provision of clear strategic direction, translating and prioritizing goals into business and performance measures.
• Role modelling and embedding Absa values throughout the function.
• Review of resource plans and alignment of resource allocation with business plans and priorities.
• Leadership in talent management, development, and mobility within the function.
• Creation and execution of people plans aligned with business objectives, ensuring succession planning for critical roles.
• Championing diversity and inclusion across the function, ensuring relevant activities are conducted and contributing to Absa's culture strategy.
• Providing input on performance ratings for country and Centre risk teams.
• Utilization of Absa's learning agenda to enhance capabilities within the function.

• Facilitate effective interaction with Country and group teams, as well as relevant Risk Committees.
• Provide support to the CRO and other management colleagues in internal and external interactions as needed.
• Cultivate and sustain effective relationships with Business/Functional Heads.
• Ensure strategic alignment of ARO risk with Group and Business Unit risk teams.
• Primary Regulator.

• Take ownership and accountability for coordinating Risk elements during annual planning and review of MTP, STP, and RAF budgets.
• Manage the function's operations effectively and efficiently, aligning with the overall Risk Target Operating Model approved by the ARO CRO.
• Ensure operational adherence to agreed costs and headcount budgets.
• Provide support to the ARO CRO, ARO Credit CRO and their management team in effectively and efficiently operating the Regional Africa Risk Function, consistent with the Risk Target Operating Model endorsed by the Risk EXCO as necessary for the Group.

Bachelor`s Degrees and Advanced Diplomas: Business, Commerce and Management Studies (Required)